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Ventspils Visit: Marius Nitzbon’s Reflective Improvisations on the worlds biggest piano

In the new EP, ‘Ventspils Visit’, Marius Nitzbon shares a selection of improvisations inspired by his recent visit at David Klavins’ piano factory in Latvia. Nitzbon’s interest in Klavins’ innovative pianos began at age 15 when he learned about instruments like the ‘Una Corda’ and the impressive M470i, referred to as ‘The Giant’. During his visit in August 2024, Marius had the opportunity to play the M470i, the biggest piano in the world, located in the nice concerthall of Ventspils, for the first time. In addition to solo piano pieces, the EP features ambient electronics that highlight Nitzbon’s recent creative explorations. These electronic elements complement the acoustic recordings, creating a layered listening experience. ‘Ventspils Visit’ provides insight into Nitzbon’s artistic journey as he merges classical influences with contemporary soundscapes.

Steinberg selects Marius Nitzbon to represent Cubase 14 in new campaign

Steinberg has announced Marius Nitzbon as the face of its new Cubase 14 campaign, recognizing the Hamburg artist’s dual talents as both a pianist and an electronic music producer. Renowned for his heartfelt piano pieces, Nitzbon’s exploration of electronic soundscapes in his live performances caught the attention of Steinberg, leading to this exciting partnership. He has composed an original track that will welcome new users to Cubase 14 as their demo piece. This opportunity not only underscores Nitzbon’s artistic versatility but also connects him with esteemed musicians like Hans Zimmer and Nils Frahm, who have embraced Cubase as their preferred digital audio workstation.

Full performance at 2024’s PIANEO Festival

Watch Marius Nitzbon’s full performance at the 2024 PIANEO Festival in Münster. After moving to Münster for his university studies, Nitzbon first heard about the festival when it was already too late to attend as a guest. He humorously reflects on the irony of missing the opportunity as a newcomer to the city. Fortunately, after a year’s wait, he was able to take the stage himself. The PIANEO Festival, known for featuring contemporary and neoclassical artists like Olafur Arnalds, Hania Rani, Martin Kohlstedt and many more, provided Nitzbon with a fitting platform to showcase his music. His performance features a captivating mix of solo piano and electronic elements, both beat driven and atmospheric. With new pieces in his bag, Nitzbon introduced the audience to his upcoming 3rd Solo Album.

A story of an album written in many nights during the first lockdown

Is nothing sacred for Marius Nitzbon? For his second album ‘Little Human’, he had a precise sound in his mind that he couldn’t find in any instrument. So he went to his old school’s grand piano and tweaked, poked, and pulled apart for four weeks until he had what he wanted. The resulting sound can be heard in the restless composition “Dancing Drops”, the first single from the work.
But this 22 year-old’s curiosity goes on well beyond ebony and ivory. The rest of the album is dotted with appearances from the most characterful sounds of the analogue and binary worlds, including a wooden pipe organ, the odd bit of viola, and a lot of Marius’ beloved synthesizers. His vision for this record extends to real-world textures, from the creaking of the pedals and the rustle of a draught through the window to the rattle of a bag of rice. Marius Nitzbon is more than a musician: he’s a mechanic with a vision.